Ask an expert: Claiming patent box relief

Question

My client owns a company with a small engineering business. The company has developed a mechanical joint which could be of wide application. While no decision has been made yet the new patent box relief for corporation tax purposes makes patenting the invention more attractive for the tax benefits. My client is however somewhat concerned about comments made by the Public Accounts Committee to the effect that the patent box is tax avoidance. The company’s business is relatively small. It does not have the capability to manufacture and distribute the product although the shareholder considers it likely to have a huge global market. He is therefore negotiating a licence agreement with a larger organisation and would like to know how this impacts the ability to claim patent box relief.

Answer